T. Wada et al., FACT relieves DSIF/NELF-mediated inhibition of transcriptional elongation and reveals functional differences between P-TEFb and TFIIH, MOL CELL, 5(6), 2000, pp. 1067-1072
We report that the chromatin-specific transcription elongation factor FACT
functions in conjunction with the RNA polymerase II CTD kinase P-TEFb to al
leviate transcription inhibition by DSIF (DRB sensitivity-inducing factor)
and NELF (negative elongation factor). We find that the kinase activity of
TFIIH is dispensable for this activity, demonstrating that TFIIH-mediated C
TD phosphorylation is not involved in the regulation of FACT and DSIF/NELF
activities. Thus, we propose a novel transcriptional regulatory network in
which DSIF/NELF inhibition of transcription is prevented by P-TEFb in coope
ration with FACT. This study uncovers a novel role for FACT in the regulati
on of transcription on naked DNA that is independent of its activities on c
hromatin templates. In addition, this study reveals functional differences
between P-TEFb and TFIIH in the regulation of transcription.